Clinical Benefits of Antrodia Camphorata Containing Antroquinonol on Daily Fatigue and Alcohol Syndrome

Abstract

Background: Antroquinonol, which is contained in Antrodia camphorata, is recognized as having diverse biological activities, including liver protection. We conducted human clinical studies to evaluate the effects of Antrodia camphorate containing Antroquinonol on the metabolism of blood ethanol and acetaldehyde after alcohol consumption and on daily activities after work. Methods: We conducted two studies. First, a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover study evaluated the anti-alcohol effects of Antroquinonol-contained A. camphorata in healthy subjects before and after alcohol consumption. In this experiment, 40 healthy adult males and females ranging in age from 20 to 59 years ingested the equivalent of 0.5 g/kg of body weight (BW) of alcohol with either a placebo or Antroquinonolcontained A. camphorata. We then measured their post-ingestion blood ethanol and acetaldehyde levels as well as their antioxidative activity. The second was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study of the effect of Antroquinonol-contained A. camphorata on the fatigue experienced by physical laborers. In this experiment, the subjects were 64 healthy adult males and females ranging in age from 40 to 64 who engaged in physical labor and who did not suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome. The subjects ingested either the Antroquinonol-contained A. camphorata or a placebo for a period of 12 weeks. We then measured their daily fatigue levels and their blood anti-oxidative function. Results: The results of anti-alcohol study indicated that the ingestion of the Antroquinonol-contained A. camphorata caused significant decreases in blood ethanol and acetaldehyde levels after alcohol consumption as compared to the placebo. Examination using a subjective index also indicated that the Antroquinonol-contained A. camphorata significantly suppressed the mood-lifting effect of alcohol as well as uncomfortable symptoms associated with alcohol consumption such as reddening of the face compared to the placebo. The results of anti-fatigue study indicated that during the ingestion period, the “vigor-activity” score on the Profile of Mood States (POMS), which is a subjective index of mood, was significantly higher for those who ingested the Antroquinonol-contained A. camphorata as compared to the placebo food. In addition, investigation of changes in blood markers indicated that the γ-GTP and urea nitrogen levels, markers of liver and kidney function respectively, showed significant decreases among those who ingested the food containing antroquinonol as compared to those who ingested the placebo. Conclusion: The ingestion of Antroquinonol-contained A. camphorata increased the metabolism of alcohol and acetaldehyde after alcohol consumption, decreased uncomfortable symptoms associated with alcohol consumption, and suppressed everyday feelings of fatigue. ISSN 2641-4295 Research Article Citation: Miles Chih-Ming Chen, Pei-Ni Chen, Howard Hao-Yu Cheng, et al. Clinical Benefits of Antrodia Camphorata Containing Antroquinonol on Daily Fatigue and Alcohol Syndrome. Food Sci Nutr Res. 2019; 2(3): 1-8.